Saturday, February 25, 2012

Jackie O

It's been a difficult and sad week for us. Jackie has passed away.
She had just turned 10 years old, appeared in good health but for unforseen circumstances took a turn for the worse rather quickly from Sunday to Monday. She had reduced her feed intake but still wanted grain until Tuesday morning. I called our vet but he was on an emergency call and couldn't get to us in time. I reached another local vet who was able to eventually come but by then Jackie was down and she and I were only able to hang on to each other and say our goodbyes.
This was an act of nature. Old age and grace. For all of us.
 Unexpected. But then, what are the rules for dying? 

It was a wonderful 10 years.
In July of 2002 Jackie arrived (front left) as a lamb.
She had travelled across the country from Washington with Crystal (front right),
with a layover in Ohio where she joined with Memphis (rear).
These were my first CVM/Romeldales and I was so excited.
This was their first morning after we brought them home from Ohio.
From these first days I called her Jackie O. She was beautiful, mysterious and
very hard to get close to. I was bound to take that fear away.
She was a stunning ewe. Her sire was Dud. He has since passed but had
quite the reputation as a ladies man around the country. The earlier years
for CVM/Romeldales always had a Dud in the pedigree.
Oh,  for those genetics again. Her markings are classic CVM and for
every category from fleece to lambing to dispostion she met the mark
with high honors.
Here she is with her
newborn twins. Alert and attentive.
And her lambs loved her, always nearby.
She took the time to teach the ways of sheepdom.
Building happy lambs.
Always Jackie gifted us with funny faces.
Always she was a joy.
We were lucky to be in Jackie's midst these past 10 years.
Her spirit soars high above the farm now
and despite the earthly grief this week
she has managed to wipe our
tears away.
Til we meet again dear Jackie O.

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

blowing kisses

sun-kissed
crazy kiss
sweet kiss
friendly kiss
notes hit the breeze
and kiss me back
may you find a kiss on your path today
and blow it back

Saturday, February 11, 2012

drawn out

I am learning that sketching from close observation 
brings a new light to what I see in the everyday. 
Training the eye to hand helps to get to know
the design reference thoroughly.
How does the energy translate from hoof to pencil?
Paying close attention to the lines and details of a small subject 
enlarges my view and brings strength to my eye.
The smile of a sheep I see each day is transposed.
Drawing is relaxing while it furthers training. 
It teaches perspective. It brings energy to pen, paper and me.
Further sketches strengthen the hand
and bring a giggle.
Thank you to my inspirations in training; Beatrix Potter, Tasha Tudor, and Henry Moore

Monday, February 06, 2012

the cone zone

Luna's in the zone and the cone says it all.
Seems she has a recurring allergy issue which we will now have to address.
She breaks out with rashes which she over licks as her leg shows.
  We will have to start a food trial to see what the culprit is.
"Sigh", she says.
Luna loves food. Luna loves everything.
Here she is having no problem with her dinner,
secretly hidden beneath the dome.
It took about 2 hours after Luna was coned
and she acted almost normal.
For those of you who have
had to be the meanie, you know how hard this cone thing is.
But our dear Luna, just doesn't let it get her down. 
The morning walk found her just as chipper and ready as always.
Cone? What cone?
Cold, mountain water, ahhh.
Looking forward to a resolution to her allergy.
Luna has earned her freedom.

Wednesday, February 01, 2012

wayfarer's shadows

winter's palette is rich now. a warp of gray, a weft of peace
deep reflections, long shadows.
on my daily walks I pause to ponder wayfarer's footprints.
on a path, a destination. do they know where, I wonder?
imagining how it must be to travel undercover.
are we hooked on one path? can we brave a changed course?
let go of linear thinking?

standing in my own shadow, a wayfarer too,
I see two trails, one east one west,
and find myself these days 
braving new paths undiscovered. 
most exciting. always challenging.